Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast

Arrive in Panama City, the capital of Panama, this afternoon. Transfer to Port Balboa to embark the National Geographic Quest this evening. You may opt for a culturally immersive pre-voyage extension in Panama City and San Lorenzo, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site.

Arrival Time: Arrive before 2:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Panama City, Panama

Expect incredible morning views as you arrive into the port for Panama City. Tinged with a silver pre-dawn light, the city will metamorphosise into a golden glow as the sun rises above it. And from then on expect one stunning view after another. Very interesting in its own right, Fuerte Amador is obviously overshadowed by its proximity to Panama City. So should the Miraflores museum of the Canal, which offers a comprehensive and immersive tour of the Canal including a 3-D experience, four exhibition halls, an observation deck, and a surprisingly good restaurant not interest you then there is always the option of lovely Casco Viejo – literally the old quartier of Panama. The grand old colonial houses, cobbled streets, independent boutiques and buzzing street scene make this a must stop on your itinerary. And if you like seafood, you will not want miss the many restaurants and market stalls serving different variations of so-fresh-it’s-still-practically-swimming ceviche. Best eaten like the Panamanians do, with salty crackers and a cold beer on the beach. And if money is no object, a cup of geisha coffee – supposedly the world’s best and definitely the world’s most expensive at $7 a shot is definitely a pick me up! Cool cosmopolitan capital aside, Panama has a skyscraper filled skyline that is worthy of some of its North American counterparts. But if urban utopia is not your scene then fear not, the sandy beaches and lush rainforests are never more than a short cab ride away.

Balboa is a historic area located within Panama City, near the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. It was developed during the early 20th century when the canal was being built. The area played an important role in supporting canal operations and shipping activities. Today, Balboa is known for its waterfront views, port facilities, and nearby cultural sites. It remains an important gateway between ocean trade routes and the capital city.

Special permission allows the ship to anchor overnight in the Panama Canal’s vast Gatún Lake. Disembark in the morning at Barro Colorado, an island formed by the damming of the Chagres River to build the Panama Canal. A visit to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute unveils initiatives to protect and study the extraordinary biodiversity of one of the planet’s most studied tropical forests and site of National Geographic studies.

Alternatively, engage in the wildness of the region by taking a hike into the jungle, a Zodiac across the vast lake or a boat ride to the mouth of the Chagres to explore the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center. The luminosity of the evening heightens the drama of your transit through the complex lock system of the legendary Panama Canal, 50 miles long and passage for some 14,000 ships yearly.

Barro Colorado Island is a tropical rainforest reserve located in the middle of Gatun Lake in Panama. It is one of the most important sites for scientific research on tropical ecosystems. The island is managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. It is home to a wide variety of plants, monkeys, birds, and insects. Barro Colorado Island is not open to general tourism, but it plays a major role in understanding rainforest biodiversity.

The Panama Canal Transit is the process of a ship traveling through the Panama Canal, moving between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. During the transit, vessels are raised and lowered through a system of locks to cross the continental divide. It is considered one of the most remarkable engineering journeys in the world. The transit offers passengers a close view of how massive ships are carefully guided through narrow waterways. Today, it remains a key route for global maritime trade and travel.

In the morning, arrive at the historic town of Portobelo, or “beautiful port,” so named in 1502 by Christopher Columbus and a critical Spanish trading center in the New World. Explore 17th- and 18th-century Spanish fortifications, designated a UNESCO site. Later, hike the surrounding jungle in search of native parrots and unruly howler monkeys.

Wake up and find yourself amidst the Guna Yala archipelago (known also as the San Blas Islands), a scattering of 368 tiny, white-sand isles off the northeast coast of Panama. Spend the day exploring paradise where the Guna people still live as their ancestors did–in thatched huts making ancient handicrafts such as molas, colorful panels of stitched fabric. Deeply committed to their culture, the Guna are admired as a politically autonomous community where women make the rules and gender fluidity is celebrated.

In the afternoon, go offshore and explore the vibrant marine world of this breathtaking utopia by snorkel, kayak and stand-up paddleboard.

The San Blas archipelago is located off the Caribbean coast, east of Colon, and is made up of 365 islands that range in size from tiny ones with a few coconut palms to islands on which hundreds of Kuna Indians live. Only about fifty are inhabited. The Kuna rule the San Blas Territory with internal autonomy, and have tightly preserved their language and cultural traditions over the centuries despite influences from European colonies. In addition to their own language, Spanish is widely spoken and many men work on the mainland, but live on the islands. Women wear costumes with unique designs based on local themes, geometric patterns, and stylised fauna and flora. The island of El Porvenir is one of the main seats of government for the Kuna Indians. Many Kunas from the other islands came to settle on El Porvenir, bringing with them their traditional arts and crafts, including the famous molas. These intricately hand-sewn designs are made by the women of the tribes as part of their blouses and dresses. With the increased tourism, molas are now a favoured souvenir and craft item for visitors.

National Geographic Quest calls at the wonderfully isolated villages of Sapzurro and Capurgana positioned only 3 miles apart on the stunning coast of Caribbean Colombia. Set out on a nature walk on the Capurgana-Sapzurro trail. In this area, the ranges of two species of howler monkeys overlap as both the mantled and the Colombian red howler monkeys are here. Watch for toucans, parrots, trogons, occasionally scarlet macaws and possibly three-toed sloths as you traverse the tropical forest trails between the villages. Or choose a shorter hike which takes you across an international, transcontinental frontier to Panama.

Walk through the border crossing, perched high on a bluff, before descending to the beach at the Panamanian village of La Miel. The sheltered waters of the bay at Sapzurro back in Colombia beckon for a pleasant kayak or paddleboard around this tropical inlet. Finish the day at sunset in the village of Capurgana.

Visit Santa Cruz de Lorica on the banks of the Sinú River, a melting pot of cultures from throughout Europe and the Middle East. Stroll the central square and notice how the city’s distinct influences live harmoniously, spotlighted in the architecture of the stunning Spanish-colonial cathedral and historic buildings in colorful Arabic styles. A folkloric show will be performed on the riverfront malecón during your walking tour.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before traveling to the nearby indigenous village of Tuchín. Watch craftsmen as they make hats that are considered Colombia’s national symbol, the sombrero vueltiao, and meet the local Zenú, celebrated for their ingenious irrigation systems.

National Geographic Quest will remain anchored in San Antero overnight. Pending conditions, guests may visit Tuchín in the morning, and Santa Cruz de Lorica in the afternoon.

Santa Cruz Island is the largest of all the Channel Islands (and California!) At over 24 miles long and six miles at its widest, Santa Cruz has over 62,000 acres (96 square miles) and 77 miles of shoreline. Santa Cruz Island lies approximately 20 miles offshore from Ventura Harbor. Santa Cruz Island offers two primary landing sites which the vast majority of guests to the island visit. Both landings are situated on the closer, northern side of the island. Scorpion Anchorage on NPS property, lies on the east end of the island, and Prisoners Harbor to the west, at the border of National Park and The Nature Conservancy property.

San Antero is a coastal town located in the Córdoba Department along the Caribbean Sea. It is known for its calm beaches, mangroves, and traditional fishing culture. The town has a relaxed atmosphere and is popular for eco-tourism and nature activities. Nearby lagoons and wetlands support diverse birdlife and marine species. San Antero offers visitors a peaceful coastal experience in northern Colombia.

Tuchín is a town located in the Córdoba Department, known for its strong Indigenous heritage. It is especially recognized as a cultural center of the Zenú people, famous for their traditional weaving skills. The town is well known for producing the handcrafted “sombrero vueltiao,” a symbol of Colombian identity. Tuchín has a rural setting with agriculture and artisan crafts as key parts of life. It remains an important place for preserving Indigenous traditions and cultural history.

The day begins by exploring Cispatá Bay, where you’ll spend the morning among the most extensive area of mangroves on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Local community guides accompany you to share their insight and knowledge of the prolific wildlife. Join naturalists from local conservation group Asocaiman as they release rehabilitated young caimans back into the wild.

After lunch on board, venture over to the Sanguare Natural Reserve. This former cattle ranch, now part of the national system of protected areas, offers great opportunities to explore on foot or by water. Learn of the conservation work being done and explore the tropical dry forests, coastal lagoons and sea grass beds. Enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding, or dig your toes in the sand and sip a chilled refreshment.

The Sanguaré Natural Reserve is a private conservation area located along the Caribbean coast of Colombia. It is known for its mangroves, wetlands, and tropical dry forests. The reserve protects a wide variety of wildlife, including birds, monkeys, and marine species. It also plays an important role in ecological research and environmental education. Sanguaré offers a quiet natural setting focused on conservation and biodiversity.

Cartagena's magnificent city walls and fortresses, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enclose a well-restored historic center (the Cuidad Amurallada, or walled city) with plazas, churches, museums, and shops that have made it a lively coastal vacation spot for South Americans and others. New hotels and restaurants make the walled city a desirable place to stay, and the formerly down-at-the-heels Getsemaní neighborhood attracts those seeking a bohemian buzz. The historic center is a small section of Cartagena; many hotels are in the Bocagrande district, an elongated peninsula where high-rise hotels overlook a long, gray-sand beach.When it was founded in 1533 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena was the only port on the South American mainland. Gold and silver looted from indigenous peoples passed through here en route to Spain and attracted pirates, including Sir Francis Drake, who in 1586 torched 200 buildings. Cartagena's walls protected the city's riches as well as the New World's most important African slave market.